Big Ten tuitions inconsistent
\nIOWA CITY, Iowa -- The tuition increases for Big Ten universities this year have been like riding a rollercoaster through a dark tunnel -- it's impossible what to expect. \nWhile some schools recorded six-year lows for tuition hikes, other schools have assaulted students' pocketbooks with what amounts to nearly $1,000 per year leap in instate tuitions. "There's nothing normal in these times," said Lee Walker, the budget director for Ohio State University. Another Big Ten university hit by fickle tuition increases is the University of Wisconsin at Madison, which in six years saw hikes ranging anywhere from 1 to 16 percent. \n"(Tuition has been) increasing at a higher rate these past few years," said Tim Norris, the budget director for Wisconsin. Tuition increases reflect the amount of state money a university receives, and recently, because of economic turmoil and inconsistent funding, that money has never been more erratic, say University of Iowa officials.\n
Illinois plans 'no immediate change' of mascot practices
\nCHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- With aims of sending a clear message about its stance on what it considers "hostile and abusive" use of American Indian imagery, the NCAA's executive committee ruled earlier this month to eliminate those images from postseason play. While the Aug. 5 ruling sent a clear message about the NCAA's views of symbols like University of Illinois' Chief Illiniwek, the immediate implications of its statements are still being clarified. For the University of Illinois, no immediate change is planned at Assembly Hall, Huff Gym or Memorial Stadium. Chief Illiniwek will perform at the football season opener Sept. 3 at Memorial Stadium, and will continue to be present at home football, basketball and volleyball games throughout this fall. But the NCAA's ruling may have far-reaching affects on Illinois' sports program. "There will be no immediate change in the traditions and practices of the university at this time," university spokesman Tom Hardy said. "The plan now will be for Chief Illiniwek to continue doing what he's been doing. "There are aspects of the decision that we feel need clarification. We're reviewing that and looking for answers from the NCAA before determining how we're going to proceed." \nThe NCAA announced Tuesday it will allow Florida State University to use its Seminoles nickname in postseason play, removing the school from a list of colleges with American Indian nicknames that were restricted by an NCAA decision earlier this month.\n
Explosion hits U. of Arizona
\nTUCSON, Ariz. -- An explosive detonated near the University of Arizona Honors College Tuesday disrupted foot traffic on campus but caused no injuries, police said. Two 18-year-old men, Francisco Joel Torres and Yoel S. Caballero, both of Tucson, were later arrested in connection with the explosion. Police said the men were in a car between the College of Music and the Honors College about 12:30 p.m. when an explosive device was thrown from the moving vehicle, said Sgt. Eugene Mejia, University of Arizona Police Department spokesman. It appears the explosion was a random act with no specific target, Mejia said. "There were no students in the immediate vicinity of the explosion," Mejia said. The size and nature of the explosive is not being released, but students in the area described the blast as "deafening"
